The name Chellis was brought to England by the Normans when they conquered the country in 1066. The ancestors of the Chellis family lived in Hertfordshire. The family was originally from Eschailles, in Pas de Calais, Normandy, and it is from this location that their surname is derived.

Chellis Early Origins

The surname Chellis was first found in Hertfordshire where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Chellis Spelling Variations

Chellis Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Chellis are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Chellis include Challis, Challes, Challers, Challice, Challies, Challiss, Chalis, Chales, Chalers, Chalice, Chalies and many more.

Chellis Early History

Chellis Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chellis research. Another 222 words (16 lines of text) covering the year 1449 is included under the topic Early Chellis History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chellis Early Notables (pre 1700)

Chellis Early Notables (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Chellis Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Chellis, or a variant listed above: Phillip Challis settled in Newbury Massachusetts in 1637; Edward Challis settled in Virginia in 1639; Robert Chalis settled in New England in 1698.

Contemporary Notables of the name Chellis (post 1700)

Contemporary Notables of the name Chellis (post 1700)

John F. Chellis (1792-1880), American politician, the 9th Lieutenant Governor of California (1862-1863)

John P. Chellis, American politician, Member of New Hampshire State Senate 10th District, 1857-59

Edwin R. Chellis, American Republican politician, Member of Maine State House of Representatives from Oxford County, 1919-20

Darryl Osmond Chellis (b. 1936), former Australian politician, Member for Westmorland, Tasmania (1985-1991)

The Chellis Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Chellis Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.